Verhofstadt’s United States of Europe

I found very interesting Guy Verhofstadt’s proposal to create a ‘United States of Europe’ (‘Forging United States of Europe is key to the future’, 1-7 December). I personally think it is a bit naive, considering the state of the EU today, to think we can move towards that at this particular moment in our history.

European Voice

12/7/05, 5:00 PM CET

Updated 4/12/14, 12:07 PM CET

But I am ready to be challenged and Verhofstadt's article does just that. Why are other heads of state and government not taking up this idea for a discussion? Why are the media not debating this particular idea - and many more others which I hope will be launched to respond to it?

I think the idea that Verhofstadt defends - a Europe of two concentric circles, with a political core, a United States of Europe, based on the eurozone, and a looser Organisation of European States surrounding it - is a dangerous one. It would divide the current member states, without bringing any guarantee that those which are part of the United States, the more integrated circle, will find it any easier to reach common decisions or decide on common objectives. A circle of 12, which will be enlarged to the new member states, would risk being as divided as the current EU, I'm afraid, unless member states really go for federal institutions, and unless majority voting becomes the general rule. When I remember the debates in the EU constitution, I don't see that coming.